Mavis Riley - 1943 - 1974
Commerce:  Lightning struck a shore-bound fishing party on the Mississippi River three miles south of Commerce about 9 pm, May 14, 1974, killing Mavis Riley, 31 of Blodgett and stunning the other eight members of the group.   Injured when the bolt hit were 16-year-old Michael Dean Riley of Blodgett and 18-year-old Gary Turner of Benton.  Riley was burned over most of his body and legs when the lightning knocked him onto a campfire.   Turner received burns on the legs.

The tragedy struck after the group had beached two boats when heavy thunderstorms began.  They built a large campfire for warmth and were gathered around it when the lightning struck.

According to a highway patrol spokesman, the Riley youth was dragged from the fire by others in the group, and both he and Miss Riley were given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at the scene.

Richard Riley, a brother of the victim, who was summoned to the scene, and Mrs. Ruby Hurst, a sister, continued life-saving efforts on the way to Missouri Delta Community Hospital in Sikeston, where Miss Riley was pronounced dead.

Members of the party who escaped injury were Dean Riley, 45, Gregg Riley, 12, James Colbert, 50, Mrs. Hurst, 36, Marty Hurst, 11, and Don Hurst, 43 all of Blodgett.

Miss Riley's body was taken to Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

The victim was born March 31, 1943 in Sikeston to Annie L. Riley of Blodgett and the late Rolley R. Riley, and was employed by International Shoe Co. in Sikeston. 

In addition to her mother, survivors include one daughter, Alana Jo Riley of the home, maternal grandmother Mrs. Mattie Oldham of San Francisco, California; two sisters Mrs. Earlene Foster of Vanduser and Mrs. Ruby Ann Hurst of Blodgett; and five brothers Roy Riley of Sikeston, Richard, Dean and Gale Riley of Blodgett and Dale Riley of Poplar Bluff.

Services were conducted at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel with Rev. Wade Paris pastor of Murray Lane Baptist Church officiating, assisted by Rev. Jimmie Edmondson, pastor of the Blodgett Baptist Church.  Burial was in Blodgett Cemetery.